Sixers Notes: Carter-Williams could miss all-star events
Michael Carter-Williams desperately wants to be part of the All-Star Game festivities this weekend but insists it won't come at the expense of the 76ers.
Michael Carter-Williams desperately wants to be part of the All-Star Game festivities this weekend but insists it won't come at the expense of the 76ers.
The second-year point guard missed his third straight game Monday with a strained right big toe.
Carter-Williams has been selected to participate in two all-star weekend events, the Rising Stars Challenge - a game Friday featuring first- and second-year NBA players - and the Skills Challenge on Saturday.
"It is getting better each day," Carter-Williams said before the game against the Golden State Warriors at the Wells Fargo Center. "It's unfortunately not good enough to play."
Whether he can compete in the two NBA all-star weekend events at Brooklyn's Barclays Center remains to be seen. "I am not sure," he said "I hope I will be playing by then."
Sixers coach Brett Brown said he knows how badly Carter-Williams wants to participate, so he realizes the delicate balance in the decision.
"Anything that jeopardizes his ability to come back ready to go again and finish on a high note will be challenged," Brown said. "This is a shared decision among all of us and I think he is mature enough to handle this, whatever comes up."
Carter-Williams, who was chosen for the Rising Stars Challenge along with teammate Nerlens Noel, said it would be disappointing if he can't play this weekend but he understands the big picture.
"It would be less disappointing than not being able to play here," Carter-Williams said. "Playing for Philadelphia and for yourself and playing in that game is cool, but I think [not] playing with this team bums me out the most."
Curry praises MCW
Carter-Williams received a strong endorsement from Warriors point guard Stephen Curry.
"He is a great player," Curry said at his team's shootaround. "Obviously he is gifted with what a lot of point guards aren't with the height and being able to see the floor and he has athleticism."
Curry says the next step in his development will come as the Sixers improve their win total.
"It's a tough situation he has been in, but he has been able to still produce and impact games," Curry said. "So that is what you want from a young guy like that who has been given the keys to the offense early in this career and [is trying] to grow on the job and get better."
